DeLand, Fla. – With eyes set on a return to the ASUN Tournament, Stetson Women's Soccer officially kicked off fall practices this morning in preparation for the 2025 campaign.

Head Coach Jamie Souza enters his second year at the helm with a reloaded roster that includes 14 returners and 17 newcomers, the majority of which are freshmen. The new-look squad hit the ground running with a high-energy session that included drills and a competitive scrimmage.
 
"[Building the culture] starts with us getting to know the players really, really well and connect with the players, the returners with the new players before we step foot out here," said Souza. "We set our expectations and our standards pretty early to a high level, and we'll hold them accountable to that. I think everyone buys in, believes in that and enjoys being around one another. We recruit good people as well as good players."
 
The opening session began with the traditional beep test before transitioning to two 20-minute halves of 11-v-11 action, providing an early look at how the team is shaping up.
 
"[The first day of practice] went really well," said redshirt junior defender Bryn Forchic. "I think everyone worked hard during the beep test and we went to 11 v 11. There's a lot of quality out there and I feel like we're looking really sharp so far."

Coach Souza echoed those thoughts. 

"There was a lot of collective energy and effort, really, really pleasing start. The girls have clearly worked very hard over the summer and respected what it means to be part of this team. It's like Christmas morning for a new coach seeing what new players you've got for you to work with this season. I'm pretty pleased with what we've got under the tree.
 
Souza led the Hatters to an 8-11 record in his first season — nearly tripling the win total from the previous year — and helped reestablish a competitive edge and strong culture within the squad.
 
"I'm super excited [for this season]," he added. "This is our first true class of recruits coming. Our expectations are that we bring energy every single day, be competitive in every single game, and that we executed the game plan to the best of our ability. The overall expectation is that we make the conference tournament. The team knows that and we are in stage of the program where we laid the foundation and now its time to break new ground."
 
"We're super excited," Forchic agreed. "I feel we're going in a great direction. We have great talent and I'm just really looking forward to getting out on the pitch and playing some games."
 
Stetson will host Daytona State for an exhibition match on Aug. 10 before opening the season against Gardner-Webb on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 6:00pm at the Athletic Training Center.

About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.